Daily Press Review - Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Livestock Crisis in Morocco: Soaring Prices and Threat to Eid al-Adha

Concerns escalate among Moroccans as Eid al-Adha approaches, amidst the challenging circumstances facing the livestock sector. Persistent drought and skyrocketing prices of livestock feed severely weaken the industry.

Livestock are hard hit by the lack of grazing lands, water, and food. Farmers, burdened by unsustainable costs, are forced to sell their livestock at reduced prices, thereby threatening the supply for the festival.

The surge in livestock prices is already evident in slaughterhouses, where the price per kilogram of red meat exceeds 100 dirhams. This chaotic situation sparks concern among professionals, who fear a shortage of sheep for Eid.

The activation of subsidies for sheep importation proves inadequate to bridge the deficit. More structural measures and substantial support for farmers are deemed essential to pull the sector out of this crisis and ensure a stable supply of red meat.

Source: AL Bayane

A 100-Kilometer Forest Belt Along the Atlantic Coast to Combat Climate Change

Participants at the third International Tree Forum, which concluded in Marrakech on Sunday, called for the establishment of a 100-kilometer-wide forest belt along the entire Moroccan Atlantic coast. This ambitious project aims to expand existing forest areas, create agro-sylvo-pastoral farms adapted to local climatic conditions, and promote forest-related craftsmanship.

The forest belt also aims to capture moist oceanic winds to encourage precipitation and create millions of jobs. These recommendations were outlined in a final declaration adopted at the end of the three-day forum, organized by the Trees, Sciences, and Tradition Association (ASET), the Averroes Foundation, and the Ibn Al Baytar Association, with the support of the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech (UCA) and the Mohammed V University of Rabat.

Forum participants emphasized the urgent need to combat climate change and its detrimental effects on the environment and populations. They also stressed the importance of forests for biodiversity preservation, soil erosion control, and climate regulation.

Source: AL Bayane

American Aerospace Giants Establish Presence in Casablanca

Three American aerospace giants, Kansas Modification Center, LLC (KMC), Stratos Industries, and Integrated Aerospace Alliance, LLC (IAA), announced today the creation of a joint venture for converting Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into freighters. This new zone will be established at the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, Morocco.

This partnership aims to combine KMC's expertise in engineering and certification with Stratos' production capabilities and IAA's experience in aerospace program management. The goal is to meet the growing demand for 777-300ER conversions to freighters, particularly from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The project will include the construction of three wide-body aircraft hangars at Casablanca Airport, allowing KMC to increase its 777-300ER P2F production capacity to eight aircraft per year. A wide-body aircraft painting hangar will also be constructed and operated by a strategic partner of Stratos.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

FRMF Launches Construction of Federal Football Training Center in Casablanca

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced today the commencement of construction on a Federal Football Training Center in Casablanca. This new center, covering an area of 16,000 square meters and accommodating 160 beds, will enhance Morocco's football infrastructure and contribute to the training of the next generation of Moroccan players.

The Casablanca Federal Football Training Center will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including football fields, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and a medical center. The center will also offer comprehensive training programs for young players, supervised by qualified coaches.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Explosion of Electronic Waste: Morocco Generates 177 Million kg Annually

Global electronic waste production has exploded, reaching 62 million tons in 2022, an 82% increase since 2010, according to a new report from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Each person generates an average of 7.8 kilograms of electronic waste per year.

Morocco is not exempt from this phenomenon. According to the report, the country produced 177 million kilograms of electronic waste in 2022, equivalent to 4.8 kilograms per capita. This figure is well below the European average (18 kilograms per capita), but it remains concerning.

Electronic waste contains hazardous substances for the environment and human health, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. If not properly treated, these waste materials can pollute soils and waters and cause health problems for local populations.

The situation is particularly critical in developing countries, where recycling infrastructure is severely lacking. In Africa, recycling and collection rates do not exceed 1%, compared to 40% in Europe.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

HCP Initiates Overhaul of National Employment Survey

The High Commission for Planning (HCP) announced on Monday the launch of the overhaul process for its National Employment Survey, which constitutes a fundamental pillar for collecting information on the labor market in Morocco.

This initiative stems from the HCP's belief in the relevance of adapting its labor market observation system and its commitment to regularly ensuring compliance with international standards governed by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the High Commission said in a statement.

Given the profound changes occurring in the labor market, accentuated by the digital revolution, as well as the socio-economic dynamics in which Morocco is engaged, it has become imperative to adapt measurement and monitoring tools to the socio-economic reality of our country, of which the labor market is a key component. Thus, the overhaul process will focus on revising the conceptual framework, sampling methodology, and thematic coverage, particularly aiming to understand the rapid transformations in the work environment accentuated by the digital revolution, its impacts on the future of the labor market, and monitoring the dynamics of new forms of employment.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Red Meat Prices Soar, Little Hope of Seeing Them Ease 

Red meat prices continue to soar since the end of the Ramadan month. Thus, the price per kilogram of beef has reached 100 dirhams in butchers, while that of lamb has crossed the 120 dirhams mark. An unprecedented increase due to several factors, according to the president of the National Association of Wholesale Red Meat Sellers, Abdelali Ramou.

Among these factors is the drastic reduction in livestock, particularly cattle, due to successive years of drought and the imbalance between supply and demand following the decline in purchasing power, he explains.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Insights into the 18th Congress of the Istiqlal Party: Unveiling the Framework and Behind-the-Scenes

The countdown to the 18th general congress of the Istiqlal Party begins. The preparatory commission met on Sunday in the presence of all its members and the Secretary-General of the Istiqlal Party, Nizar Baraka, who is running for re-election. The Commission unanimously adopted the congress slogan, which will be held under the theme: "Renewal of the Pact for the Homeland and the Citizen."

The Commission also set the number of congress delegates at 3600. It also opened nominations for the party's Executive Committee, which must be submitted 72 hours before the start of the general congress, scheduled from April 26 to 28. The renewal of the Executive Committee is of great importance as it is a decisive body in the stability and implementation of the party's strategy.

Source: L'Opinion

Maritime Transport: Regionalization of Logistics Chains Benefits Tanger Med

The Customs Administration announced that, as of April 15, it has opened its counters 24/7 at Tanger Med. Freight forwarders, shippers, and shipowners welcome a measure they have long awaited, which should enhance the competitiveness of the port platform. "This measure aims to enhance the smoothness of customs clearance operations and reduce customs clearance times to support exporters' competitiveness while contributing to improving the productivity of international transport operators," the customs stated in its communication. In order to successfully implement this reorganization, it asserts that it has "taken all necessary measures in terms of strengthening and mobilizing its workforce."

Source: Les Inspirations éco